Because Kaiser wasn't able to see me weekly when I left a very abusive relationship, they suggested I find a contracted therapist. Laurel seemed perfect because she takes Kaiser, has extensive experience working with domestic violence survivors and is near work. She emailed me agreeing to see me. Kaiser agreed to authorize it. So I thought everything was good, until she ghosted me. Over a month later, someone at Kaiser finally tells me that she decided not to see me because I was too "complex" and emotional. As if anyone is all sunshine and roses after leaving a man who tried to kill them multiple times.

I emailed her recently because my current therapist wanted to know why a trauma therapist would refuse to help a domestic violence survivor with debilitating anxiety. She said that Kaiser sent her a psychological evaluation that made her feel she couldn't treat me and that I should go to Portland DBT. First of all, Kaiser has never done a psychological evaluation in house or out of network. Second of all, I hadn't seen a therapist in over a year. I still have no idea what sham document Kaiser supposedly sent her because I've never seen it. Thirdly, Portland DBT doesn't have the expertise or resources to treat abuse survivors. Fourthly, it wasn't a lack of DBT skills that was causing debilitating effects of trauma. I needed help with my amygdala being in overdrive, my body being unable to relax because of constant fight or flight mode, and feeling worthless because of trauma that goes back to childhood. I needed someone to correctly diagnose my complex PTSD and help me find relief from trauma symtpoms. You can't just meditate and breathe your way out of trauma.

Because Laurel didn't help, Kaiser sent me to an awful therapist who only did CBT and had no experience with abuse survivors. Then they sent me to someone in house who also wasn't trauma informed. Then I just have up for awhile on therapy until I started going to Portland Trauma Recovery. It wasn't until 4 years later that I finally got a correct diagnosis of complex PTSD and was able to get significant relief from my trauma symtpoms. It's too bad Laurel wouldn't help because 4 years is a long time to have debilitating PTSD symptoms.

Submitted Nov. 14, 2019

Laurel is just an outstanding psychotherapist. Two MDs at Providence referred me (two different doctors) and I got the help I needed. That is really all there is to say. I would recommend her as an easy to talk with therapist who really knows what she is doing and starts to help solve problems very quickly. PS Rate MDs should have a category for psychotherapists/counselors who are licensed. Psychologist and psychiatrists are more expensive and not necessarily any more skilled or better.

Submitted Jan. 17, 2013